ᐅ Decommissioning a Gas Heating System: What Alternative Heating Options Are Available?

Hello dear members,

I have read many posts over the last few hours but have now decided to ask my questions directly.

Here are the basic details of the house:
- We bought a detached single-family home in Baden-Württemberg 1.5 years ago: renovated to energy class C in 2006, originally built in 1969
- Gas heating system from 1995
- 180 sqm (1,938 sq ft) of living space
- Gas consumption in the first full year for four people was 26,000 kWh
- Hot water is supplied via the heating system
- Underfloor heating

Current status:
- During the chimney sweep’s routine maintenance just before Christmas, a CO concentration well above 1000 was detected
- Due to the heating company’s holiday shutdown, a technician only came today: extensive cleaning measures were carried out but without success
- Statement: “Pipes are corroded, apparently no maintenance for at least 4 years”
- After cleaning, the measuring device fluctuates so much that it can no longer display values
- The chimney sweep now wants to shut down the gas heating system
- In the short term, a mobile oil heating system will be used, provided by the heating company

1st question:
- What monthly costs can we expect with such a temporary solution?

2nd question:
- Which type of heating system could help us in the short term and also be a long-term, sensible option?
We actually want a sustainable solution and have considered heat pumps several times. We are not fully convinced by air-source heat pumps, and a ground probe system would likely be a long-term project due to the hillside location.
At the same time, our roof would be suitable for solar thermal panels, and we have a fireplace in the living room that could be converted to a water-bearing stove. So, a hybrid gas heating system mix is also an option.
We also had an energy consultant for a preliminary talk, who concluded after walking through the house that basically all types of heating systems would be possible for us.

We look forward to your ideas and assessments.
Thank you very much and best regards,
Frederik

We have 100m² (1,076 sq ft) and would probably have had a consumption of no more than 12,000 kWh without a fireplace (also energy class C). Now we are at 8,000 kWh. Could your high consumption be due to the old heating system?

I would start looking for a used gas boiler and then calmly plan the conversion. There are quite a few nearly new ones on the market that were discarded after being converted to a heat pump.

CO instead of CO2 is produced when there is insufficient oxygen during combustion.
Why is there not enough oxygen?
This raises the question: Is the problem really the heating system, or the fresh air supply?

I wouldn’t immediately know how, but first check the fresh air supply. It might be blocked by dead animals, leaves, or other debris.
After that, I would replace the gas heater. Simply because it is quite economical compared to a heat pump. The house does not seem to be well insulated, so operating a heat pump would also be costly.

And yes, carbon monoxide is no joke. Especially if it apparently exceeds the measurement scale. Is the carbon monoxide already present in the room, or only in the exhaust? Buy a carbon monoxide detector (similar to a smoke alarm) immediately and turn off the heating if the carbon monoxide is in the room and not just in the exhaust!

SumsumBiene schrieb:


I would start by looking for a used gas boiler and then calmly plan the conversion. There are quite a few like-new ones on the market that were removed after switching to a heat pump.

That’s how I would do it too. First, have a used one installed temporarily. Maybe you’ll already use less gas and can keep it for a few more years. At the same time, look into alternatives and get advice.

Hello,

thank you very much for your quick response.
CO detectors and smoke alarms have been ordered.
I will ask the heating technician whether the cause is the fresh air supply or the heating system.

The idea of a used gas boiler is very good; we will look into it. Although installation and removal costs will still apply and may double in the medium term, it is still better than a mobile oil heater.

If anyone has other ideas, I would be happy to hear them.

Best regards,
Frederik

The best solution is to use a second-hand condensing boiler. In the coming months or years, you will need to consider not only the heating system but especially your house (insulation). We heat 240m² (2583 ft²) with gas (+ solar thermal) at about 22°C (72°F) and use 8 kW per year.